#literary-analysis

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#alice-munro

Alice Munro's Retreat | Anne Enright

Alice Munro's legacy and fiction are reframed by the revelation of her daughter's abuse and the author's choice to protect her abuser.

No One Wrote About Sex Like Alice Munro

Alice Munro's writing portrays women's perceptions as merciless and powerful in making decisions about relationships and intimacy.

Alice Munro's Retreat | Anne Enright

Alice Munro's legacy and fiction are reframed by the revelation of her daughter's abuse and the author's choice to protect her abuser.

No One Wrote About Sex Like Alice Munro

Alice Munro's writing portrays women's perceptions as merciless and powerful in making decisions about relationships and intimacy.
morealice-munro

Remembering Sandra Gilbert, poet, critic, feminist, teacher

Sandra M. Gilbert was a pioneering feminist literary critic whose work profoundly influenced the field and inspired generations of writers and scholars.

What in Me Is Dark review the incredible afterlife of Paradise Lost

John Milton's work, particularly 'Paradise Lost', unexpectedly influences a wide range of contexts and writers, demonstrating its lasting literary significance.
#joan-didion

What the Internet Age Is Taking Away From Writers

Authors increasingly self-market online, leaving little room for privacy or the option to remain unnoticed.

Joan Didion Remains as Elusive as Ever. These Books Want to Fix That.

Joan Didion continues to fascinate readers and writers alike, inspiring multiple books and deep analysis since her passing in 2021.

What the Internet Age Is Taking Away From Writers

Authors increasingly self-market online, leaving little room for privacy or the option to remain unnoticed.

Joan Didion Remains as Elusive as Ever. These Books Want to Fix That.

Joan Didion continues to fascinate readers and writers alike, inspiring multiple books and deep analysis since her passing in 2021.
morejoan-didion
#cultural-history

Guy Davenport-the Last High Modernist

Davenport's work emphasizes the importance of cultural interactions and literary erudition in understanding historical significance.

The 7 Rules You Need to Follow to Survive a Medieval Fairy Tale - Medievalists.net

Medieval romances, not just for women, feature male knights proving themselves through adventures and fantastical encounters.

Guy Davenport-the Last High Modernist

Davenport's work emphasizes the importance of cultural interactions and literary erudition in understanding historical significance.

The 7 Rules You Need to Follow to Survive a Medieval Fairy Tale - Medievalists.net

Medieval romances, not just for women, feature male knights proving themselves through adventures and fantastical encounters.
morecultural-history

Slaveroad

John Edgar Wideman's 'Slaveroad' blends autobiography with history to explore the lasting impact of slavery on African American identity.
#fiction

Haruki Murakami on Rethinking Early Work

Haruki Murakami's latest novel revisits themes and ideas from his early works, exploring the blurry lines between reality and imagination.

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers review trauma unearthed

Clare Chambers's Shy Creatures showcases her storytelling prowess and deep character exploration, solidifying her status as a leading contemporary novelist.

Haruki Murakami on Rethinking Early Work

Haruki Murakami's latest novel revisits themes and ideas from his early works, exploring the blurry lines between reality and imagination.

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers review trauma unearthed

Clare Chambers's Shy Creatures showcases her storytelling prowess and deep character exploration, solidifying her status as a leading contemporary novelist.
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Dante's Hidden Trauma: How War Shaped The Divine Comedy - Medievalists.net

Dante's journey through Hell reflects trauma from his military experiences and personal losses, influencing the themes of The Divine Comedy.
#jeff-vandermeer

Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer review a thrilling coda to an otherworldly trilogy

The Southern Reach trilogy combines science-horror with critiques of contemporary society, portraying an uncanny and transformative landscape that resonates universally.

The 4th Southern Reach book, Absolution, burst out of author Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer's 'Absolution' revisits Area X, offering deeper character exploration, new mysteries, and the same surreal allure as the original trilogy.

Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer review a thrilling coda to an otherworldly trilogy

The Southern Reach trilogy combines science-horror with critiques of contemporary society, portraying an uncanny and transformative landscape that resonates universally.

The 4th Southern Reach book, Absolution, burst out of author Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer's 'Absolution' revisits Area X, offering deeper character exploration, new mysteries, and the same surreal allure as the original trilogy.
morejeff-vandermeer

Novelist Chuck Palahniuk would like to live in 'Tales of the City'

Chuck Palahniuk and Ray Bradbury both excel in the fix-up novel format, utilizing it to create cohesive narratives from short stories.

For Fredric Jameson, Marxist Criticism Was a Labor of Love

Fredric Jameson was a leading Marxist literary critic renowned for his rigorous analysis, blending traditionalism with radicalism throughout his distinguished career.
#childrens-literature

The Haunted Wood: a History of Childhood Reading by Sam Leith review young at heart

Children's literature, rich in adventure and imagination, evokes lasting joy and mental images, deeply connecting readers of all ages.

Does a Popular Children's Book Have a Secret Political Message?

Children's literature can become polarized in cultural debates, as seen with 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie' being viewed as commentary on government welfare.

The Haunted Wood: a History of Childhood Reading by Sam Leith review young at heart

Children's literature, rich in adventure and imagination, evokes lasting joy and mental images, deeply connecting readers of all ages.

Does a Popular Children's Book Have a Secret Political Message?

Children's literature can become polarized in cultural debates, as seen with 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie' being viewed as commentary on government welfare.
morechildrens-literature
#character-development

Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd review a spy story to rival Restless

William Boyd explores the complexities of espionage through characters burdened by personal struggles, offering a fresh perspective on the spy genre.

A Light-Hearted Murder Mystery Weekend Turns Deadly in Kate Atkinson's Cozy Thriller

Mystery genre brings together various communities, showcasing diverse themes through both entertainment and deep character exploration.

The Cruel Genius of Robert Plunket's Gay Satires

Dramatic irony in Love Junkie signifies the looming AIDS epidemic, creating tension and highlighting the character's naiveté in the face of tragedy.

Practice by Rosalind Brown review tea, yoga and sonnets

The novel highlights the beauty in daily routines and ordinary moments
The protagonist's introspective and self-aware character is portrayed vividly

Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd review a spy story to rival Restless

William Boyd explores the complexities of espionage through characters burdened by personal struggles, offering a fresh perspective on the spy genre.

A Light-Hearted Murder Mystery Weekend Turns Deadly in Kate Atkinson's Cozy Thriller

Mystery genre brings together various communities, showcasing diverse themes through both entertainment and deep character exploration.

The Cruel Genius of Robert Plunket's Gay Satires

Dramatic irony in Love Junkie signifies the looming AIDS epidemic, creating tension and highlighting the character's naiveté in the face of tragedy.

Practice by Rosalind Brown review tea, yoga and sonnets

The novel highlights the beauty in daily routines and ordinary moments
The protagonist's introspective and self-aware character is portrayed vividly
morecharacter-development

Each of the six Booker novels does something unique

The judging process of the Booker Prize highlights unique narratives and the immense challenge of selecting a winner from exceptional works.

Book Excerpt: LOST: Back to the Island: The Complete Critical Companion to The Classic TV Series by Emily St. James & Noel Murray | Features | Roger Ebert

Bad Twin, by Gary Troup, greatly impacted the Lost fandom by exploring themes of duality relevant to the show's central conflicts.
#poetry

Poem of the week: Good-bye by Walter de la Mare

De la Mare's poetry explores themes of mortality and farewell, revealing deeper meanings in seemingly simple expressions of parting.

Alice Notley's Prophecies - The Paris Review

Alice Notley's poem 'The Prophet' challenges conventional notions of prophecy and spirituality.

Where sights and sounds of modern poetry are - Harvard Gazette

The poem explores themes of time, identity, and existential indecision through vivid imagery and reflective questioning.

"It's This Line / Here" : Happy Belated Birthday to James Schuyler - The Paris Review

Schuyler's poem reflects on intentions unfulfilled, the play of assembly and disassembly, and enjambments as sites of hesitation and meaning collection.

Poem of the week: Good-bye by Walter de la Mare

De la Mare's poetry explores themes of mortality and farewell, revealing deeper meanings in seemingly simple expressions of parting.

Alice Notley's Prophecies - The Paris Review

Alice Notley's poem 'The Prophet' challenges conventional notions of prophecy and spirituality.

Where sights and sounds of modern poetry are - Harvard Gazette

The poem explores themes of time, identity, and existential indecision through vivid imagery and reflective questioning.

"It's This Line / Here" : Happy Belated Birthday to James Schuyler - The Paris Review

Schuyler's poem reflects on intentions unfulfilled, the play of assembly and disassembly, and enjambments as sites of hesitation and meaning collection.
morepoetry
#friendship

The Best Books of 2024 So Far

Deep narratives in the best books of the year explore themes of love, loss, friendship, and belonging.

My Brilliant Friend Season-Premiere Recap: Sacrifices

The Neapolitan Quartet examines female friendship and identity through the lens of societal expectations and personal liberation.

The Best Books of 2024 So Far

Deep narratives in the best books of the year explore themes of love, loss, friendship, and belonging.

My Brilliant Friend Season-Premiere Recap: Sacrifices

The Neapolitan Quartet examines female friendship and identity through the lens of societal expectations and personal liberation.
morefriendship

Edwin Frank Looks at What a Novel Can Be

Edwin Frank's nonfiction debut explores the history and evolution of the novel, examining its influence through 33 significant works from the 20th century.
from Slate Magazine
2 months ago

The Midnight Library Has Sold 10 Million Copies. What Do Readers See in It?

The Midnight Library uniquely blends themes of grief and hope, promoting therapeutic insights that resonate with readers facing their own challenges.
#emotional-depth

NPR Staffers Pick Their Favorite Fiction Reads of 2024

Books with complex layers and emotional depth appeal to readers by blending humor with sensitive narratives.

What we're reading: writers and readers on the books they enjoyed in August

Tender Is the Flesh breaks conventions by exploring human slaughter in a dystopian narrative, revitalizing literary engagement with bold drama.

NPR Staffers Pick Their Favorite Fiction Reads of 2024

Books with complex layers and emotional depth appeal to readers by blending humor with sensitive narratives.

What we're reading: writers and readers on the books they enjoyed in August

Tender Is the Flesh breaks conventions by exploring human slaughter in a dystopian narrative, revitalizing literary engagement with bold drama.
moreemotional-depth

The Last Dream by Pedro Almodovar review fantastical fictions and candid personal curios

Almodovar's 'The Last Dream' is a diverse collection that intertwines fictional narratives and personal essays, reflecting his unique storytelling style.

Kazuo Ishiguro Is A Repetitive Genius | Defector

Ishiguro may write in similar veins but executes storytelling exceptionally well.

Smashing the girlboss myths: how women are doing ambition on their own terms

Women face internalized societal messages about ambition, experiencing conflicts and trade-offs in pursuing their goals.

Reading, Reading, Reading | Peter C. Baker

In 'The Wall,' Marlen Haushofer explores life's purpose and existence through the lens of a narrator isolated in nature, prompting reflection on the act of writing and human endeavors.

Book Club Picks for May 2024

The reviewer provides detailed insights on various books, highlighting themes, genre, and author reputation.

"Forgotten" poem by C.S. Lewis published for the first time

C.S. Lewis, known for Narnia, had a diverse body of work including a newly discovered short poem published in the Journal of Inkling Studies.

Harvard's Taylor Swift Scholars Have Thoughts on Tortured Poets'

Fans studying Taylor Swift's albums mirror literary analysis of poets like in Harvard's English class dedicated to Swift.

Amitava Kumar and the Novel of the Translated Man

Historical time may undervalue lives, while novelistic time delves into the depth of each individual's story.
Authors like Naipaul and Kumar explore the complexities and quietness of seemingly ordinary lives in their novels.

Dakota Johnson Will Recommend This Book "For The Rest Of Her Life"

Dakota Johnson chose a surprising book for her TeaTime Book Club, inspiring others to follow their own path in book selections.
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino critiques America's class system through the eyes of a working-class protagonist, Adina.

Alphabetical Diaries by Sheila Heti review a radical fusion of linguistic experiment and philosophical inquiry

Heti's unconventional approach to writing challenges traditional narrative structures.
Alphabetical Diaries by Sheila Heti offers a unique reading experience without paragraph breaks.

Announcing Our Summer Issue - The Paris Review

Exploring connections in a lost manuscript prompts deep reading pleasures.

Elizabeth Horan, literary scholar: Gabriela Mistral is as important for Latin America as Bolivar, Marti, or Mariategui'

Elizabeth Horan portrays Gabriela Mistral's life in her book Mistral: A Life.
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